After reviewing several of the sites listed on the virtual worlds review, I see a few that may possibly be useful in a classroom. There are the kid-friendly worlds (Disney's Toontown, Virtual Magic Kingdom) that are just extensions of Saturday morning cartoons that, while more interactive, are just more self-promoting and selling something. Mokitown looked like something that may be interesting as a side bar in a classroom - cartoon-like road and traffic safety. Could be used but not on a long-term basis, I don't think. If you are doing a unit on safety, it could be used in conjunction with real-life experiences. When you make a mistake and get run over in the virtual world, you can get a new life. Kids need real-life experiences to judge car travel distances and speeds to learn to safely cross streets.
I linked to another youtube video that talked about Science virtual worlds and have to say, I was impressed. Not with the virtual world itself but how it was used. You could take your avatar into a cell and look around, watch systems of the body work (ie: food go in mouth and through digestive system). That would be cool to show but I think something similar is available outside the virtual world. The weather data world, Genome Island, 3-D models, etc. could be used but, again, is it necessary to enter the virtual world? The youtube also mentioned visiting other places - Rome in the past, etc., which I guess might be interesting but they talked about it like you were actually going back in time speaking to people who lived then! Yes, you interact with others, but they are just other people playing the game who may or may not know anything about the time or how people who actually lived back then would answer. They also mentioned "seeing" the Sistine Chapel. While the virtual world certainly resembled the Chapel, it certainly did not show it in a true light. While visiting would be best, a photo would do a better job showing the beauty of the painting that a cartoonish virtual world version, in my opinion.
Virtual on-line classes are touted as well. I guess if you are used to being in a class of 300 students with a teacher who does nothing but lecture, it might work. But I like the smaller classes where I can participate and ask questions (even if my physics prof thinks I talk too much - it's an inquiry class and I'm always talking about physics!). Yes, I can type in questions but it's not the same. Takes away the spontaneity for one thing. Again, just my opinion, I have never had a virtual class.
A business meeting in virtual world? Hmm...It would certainly cut travel costs but 55% of communication is received through non-verbal language and another 38% is based on tone of voice. I don't think this can be conveyed in a virtual world except when explicitly desired.
I do see how it would be helpful in a government class (high school) where students would have to build a town, elect a mayor, set a town budget, etc. Virtual world experience of real world problems without the actual consequences. I do not see using classroom time. Maybe as an outside extra credit assignment? If the kids are playing virtual world anyway...? I think it is a colossal waste of time myself but that's me and some kids seem to love it.
I asked several of my daughter's friends and a few (mostly the boys) have some experience with virtual worlds. But most of these kids had so many other outside interests (several in bands, work, Mock Trial, sports teams) that none admitted to being addicted.
I spend hours planning Science Club and Science Night and reading... I guess it's just what you like, you do. If students like virtual worlds, I guess if it's done with a goal toward learning something, Virtual World should have a place in school - middle and above - but I don't think I would use it in my classroom. Who knows? I may be wrong. I am willing to try anything.
